"Many present movies are showcases of vulgarity"-Saawan Kumar Tak

Candid Conversation with Saawan Kumar Tak

During his recent visit to Bhopal the veteran film director who has many jewels of super hit movies in his crown visited office of WTN and spoke about his movies, his struggle, his love for Meena Kumari and changing trends in Hindi Cinema. Here are some excerpts of his interview: 

Your journey of becoming a Director of repute has always been the talk of Bollywood. People say that Saawan Kumar came to “City Of Dreams” with dream of becoming an actor. It would be great if you could share that incident with our readers?

My journey started when at age of 19 I left my home with just Rs 82 in my pocket which I stole from my mother’s wallet. I was always passionate about acting but after three years of struggle in Mumbai I failed to get any role I lost all the confidence in myself

Those were days of depression and gloom for me when I met a manager of a film studio. The manger was generous enough and allowed me to enter the studio where I saw the movie shooting first time in my life.

It was that day when I saw the movie stars of my dream not on reel but in real life- beautiful Meena Kumari and charming Dilip Kumar. It was during this shooting an incident happened which changed my aim of becoming an actor to becoming a director.

As shooting progressed the duo stars, Meena Kumar and Dilip Kumar were asked to cross a panel. They both came the wrong way and suddenly I was shocked and astonished to hear someone shouting in anger on them.

I still remember the words. The man whom I could not see shouted in anger. “Kya Yusuf (Dilip Kumar) tumko bola tha udhar se aana hai,” he said.

This sentence made me ask a simple question to my brain which was simmering in anger, Who is this guy yelling at such big stars and how can he talk to them like this?

The manager who let me inside told me that the man shouting is none other but the great director Bimal Roy. At that very moment I decided to become a director.

After being a successful director did you ever try your hand in acting, as acting was your passion and you always wanted to be an actor?

Yes I have obviously tried my hand in acting doing small roles in the movies but yes now I love my work and seriously feel I am meant for directing than acting.

You gave break to Neetu Singh and Sanjeev Kumar in your movie Naunihal. You changed his name from Haribhai Jariwala to Sanjeev Kumar. How was your experience working with one of the greatest actors of Hindi cinema?

I would like to reveal first as how I got the movie ‘Naunihal’. It was my first movie and I had neither money nor experience to direct a movie. During my struggling phase in Mumbai one day I got a call from my sister who was in Kolkata. She asked me to visit her. When I visited her she did not let me go out for about six months.

I took a strong stand and decided I will return to Mumbai and direct a movie. My brother-in-law helped me with Rs. 25,000 and told me straight not to reveal this fact to my sister. With that money and with the help of Dagar Brothers I made the movie Naunihal which was on Pandit Nehru. Although the movie was not a commercial success but it clinched President Award and many international awards too.

Yes I gave break to Sanjeev Kumar! I had seen him in some studio where he was filling up a form to become an actor. I decided to cast him. I changed his name because “S” has always been a lucky alphabet for me and most of my movies with alphabet “S” have been blockbusters like Sautan, Sanam Bewafa, Hawas and more.

One of your movies, Gomti Ke Kinare was with Meena Kumari. How did you manage to cast such a big actress at a time when you had just started your career?

Gomti Ke Kinare was the most fortunate thing that happened to me. After Naunihal one day I went to Meena Kumari’s house where the guard stopped me and enquired about me. I said I am a director and I wish to meet Meena Kumari.

He replied she is not at her residence come tomorrow like that I got an appointment for the next day. The whole night I just waited for the next day to start and at exact 4 pm I reached her house and rang the bell.

I was called in asked to sit in the hall. After a while, Meena came and I was all nervous how to start. Very politely I asked her I want to cast you in my movie. She asked me do you have the script of the movie and I said yes and narrated the story.

After listening to the story she took a deep sigh and asked who will be directing the movie and I was like whoever you say. Then she very calmly said, “I want the one who is narrating the script to direct the movie”. I was overwhelmed but nervousness was still there that how I will be able to direct such a big star. Next day I said yes and we started the shooting.

Talking about Meena Kumari, she was one of the most emotional phases in your life. When did you realize that she was really close to you and you were in love with her?

The answer to this question is an emotional aspect of my life. I don’t know from where should I start? Meena Kumari got ill on the sixth day of the shooting, Gomti Ke Kinare. It was her last movie before her sad demise and what has always saddened me is the fact that Meena was never able to complete the movie.

I never realized that she is doing the movie just because of love. I thought she was impressed by my script but after her death when I went to the graveyard the love for her struck me. I was flooded with tears. I felt I have some great connection with her.

I would like to tell you few lines, which i wrote for her after her demise (Meri mohabbat alfazon me kaed ho kar reh gae)

Chandani mar gae…

Roshni mar gae…

Sari shame bujha ke chale aae log…

Chaadre gul se chilta tha jiska badan…

Usko mitti udha ke chale aae log…

In the present era of Bollywood, Salman Khan is a name with whom people want to work with. You made few movies with Salman. How was your experience working with him?

Salman is a baby to me. One of his movies, Sanam Bewafa was directed by me and it went on to become super duper hit. He is adorable; I remember one of his movies Chand Ka Tukda with Sridevi. One day he came to me at the sets and said Dada, I want to do a movie with Sridevi (at that time he was in deep love with Sridevi). I said straight that she is elder to you and your pair will not look good. But he insisted and I called Sridevi on the set next day. Sridevi said, “You were afraid that I would say no for the movie with Salman but I am ready to do it”. This way the movie Chand Ka Tukda took its inception.

What is your opinion about the growing stars in the movie industry who have transformed it with different acting style?

With times the morals and ethics have changed now the actors portray much of nudity which is not our culture. I don’t like movies of now days as they don’t have any story line or content. Many present movies are showcases of vulgarity.

Sir, are you coming up with any new project? If you will direct a movie in near future who would be the lucky actors you will like to cast?

Yes I am thinking to direct a movie soon in future. The story is not decided as I am still working on the script. Once it is done I will let WTN know. Talking about the stars I want to cast someone who is educated, literate and mannered. Stars should understand basics of our society.

Message for readers by Saawan Kumar: I love you all…Please do love me and keep liking my work.